Thin-film type highly moisture-transmissive fiber sheet

ABSTRACT

A thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet includes a thin film coating layer formed on one side of the hydrophilic fiber sheet, in which the thin film coating layer is formed such that a hydrophobic coating agent is coated on a portion of the one side of the fiber sheet in a thin film-type.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Phase patent application of International Patent Application Number PCT/KR2017/004234, filed on Apr. 20, 2017, which claims priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0050903, filed on Apr. 26, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet and more particularly to a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet in which the moisture contacting on one side of the fiber sheet is rapidly transferred to the other side of the fiber sheet, and thus, the moisture is transferred in such a way that the one side of fiber sheet is always dry.

BACKGROUND

Recently, consumers have been diversified, individualized and upgraded to pursue high and multi-functionalization of materials. The high functionalization of synthetic fibers has been developed so as to enhance physical properties that overcome the weakness of natural fibers and to increase or maximize the advantages of synthetic fibers at the same time. Representative functional materials include sweat-absorbing and quick-drying, antistatic, ultraviolet-shielding fabrics, secondary textile products thereof, and the like.

For example, in the sweat-absorbing and quick-drying material, the movement of the gaseous sweat emitted from the body is such that it is mainly absorbed into the material and then evaporated outside. Thus, the moisture absorption amount, moisture absorption, and moisture release speed of the material are important for sweat treatment in the case of the insensible perspiration. Further, the capillary phenomenon (to accelerate the absorption rate through micropores and to enlarge the diffusion surface of the water) caused by the micro-spaces between the fibers formed in the material is important for the treatment of sweat for the liquid sweat movement, for example, the sensible perspiration.

As a technique for the sweat-absorbing and quick-drying material, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-213546 (published on Sep. 18, 1991) discloses a technical content related to an absorbent sheet composed of a fiber structure having a high-density portion and a low-density portion. This technique is for transferring moisture from the back layer to the surface layer using only the density difference, and thus, has a limitation in its function in clothes for sports requiring a large amount of exercise.

In view of these issues, a fabric in which a difference in density between the surface layer and the back layer is used or an intermediate transition layer is formed to impart a sweat-absorbing and quick-drying function has been proposed. In particular, Korean Patent No. 0574065 discloses a high moisture-transfer fiber sheet having a sweat-absorbing and quick-drying function having a double-layer structure composed of a surface tissue layer and a back tissue layer in which the back layer is made of filament yarn having a polyester or nylon circular cross-sectional structure, and its mono-denier is 1 denier or more and less than 5 deniers, and in which the surface layer is made of one or more filaments selected from the group consisting of draw textured yarn having a polyester or nylon circular cross-sectional structure, air textured yarn (ATY) and inter-lace yarn (ITY) and its mono-denier is 0.2 denier or more and less than 1 denier.

While the high moisture-transfer fiber sheet of the above-described type does not have a substantial problem in water transfer, it has a problem in that manufacturing method is complicated because it is formed of two layers made of different kinds of fibers having different tissue densities. Further, because the fiber sheet is composed of two layers, there is a limitation for thin fiber sheet so that there is a problem of limitation in use.

SUMMARY

A feature of embodiments according to the present invention is to provide a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet in which the moisture absorbed on one side of the fabric is transferred to the other side thereof in one way, resulting in a dry wearing sensation all of the time.

Further, another feature of embodiments according to the present invention is to provide a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet in which the thickness of the fiber sheet is not changed by a thin film-type coating on the fiber sheet, and the inherent tactile sensation and softness of the fiber sheet are not impaired.

In order to achieve the above-described features, an embodiment of the present invention provides a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet including a thin film coating layer on one side of the hydrophilic fiber sheet, in which the thin film coating layer is formed such that a hydrophobic coating agent is coated on a portion of the one side of the fiber sheet in a thin film-type.

Further, an embodiment of the present invention provides a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet, in which the thin film coating layer has a thickness of 20 nm to 80 nm.

Further, an embodiment of the present invention provides a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet, in which the hydrophobic coating agent includes a silicone-based water repellent and a transparent binder (e.g., a binder having a transparent color).

Further, an embodiment of the present invention provides a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet, in which the hydrophobic coating agent may be applied to 70% to 95% of the surface area of the one side.

Further, an embodiment of the present invention provides a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet, in which the thin film coating layer has a gap of 0.5 mm to 5 mm in which the hydrophobic coating agent is not coated.

Further, an embodiment o the present invention provides a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet, in which the hydrophobic coating agent constitutes a thin film coating layer in the form of dots or stripes.

Further, an embodiment of the present invention provides a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet, in which a color difference occurs between the thin film coating layer and the gap when moisture is absorbed.

The thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to embodiments of the present invention has the effect of processing of the surface and the skin contacting surface to rapidly transfer the moisture in one way, thereby resulting in dryness at all times on the skin contacting surface.

Further, the thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to embodiments of the present invention has the effect of not increasing the thickness of the fiber sheet and not inhibiting the inherent tactile sensation and softness of the fiber sheet through the thin film-type coating.

Further, embodiments of the present invention have an excellent absorption function and an extremely rapid drying speed, which is suitable for various sports clothes and bedding.

Further, according to embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophobic coating is formed in a thin film-type so that it has the effect of reducing the coarse tactile sensation caused by the spreading form of the coating, thereby providing a soft tactile sensation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a high-moisture transfer action of a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3, inclusive of (a)-(c), is a view showing various embodiments of coating layers of a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an SEM photograph of a cross-section of an Example according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5, inclusive of (a)-(b), includes photographs showing the surfaces of prior-moisture absorption and post-moisture absorption of a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF MAIN REFERENCE NUMERALS OF THE DRAWINGS

-   -   100: hydrophilic fiber sheet     -   200: thin film coating layer     -   300: gap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in the present invention. First, it should be understood that, in the drawings, the same components or parts are denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible. In describing embodiments of the present invention, a specific description of a related known function or configuration may be excluded in order to avoid obscuring the gist of the subject matter of the present invention.

The terms “about,” or “approximate” used in the present specification are used as a numerical value or a meaning close to the numerical value when a unique manufacturing and material allowable error is suggested to a mentioned meaning, and is used for preventing an unconscionable infringer from illegally using the disclosed contents including an accurate or absolute numerical value mentioned for helping the understanding of the present invention.

The term “fiber sheet” used in the present specification is used to mean all articles, nonwoven fabrics, fibrous webs and the like manufactured by weaving or knitting.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a high-moisture transfer action of a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3, inclusive of (a)-(c), is a view showing various embodiments of coating layers of a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an SEM photograph of a cross-section of an Example according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5, inclusive of (a)-(b), includes photographs showing the surfaces of prior-moisture absorption and post-moisture absorption of a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by forming a thin film coating layer on one side of the hydrophilic fiber sheet and forming the thin film coating layer on a portion of the one side of the fiber sheet by coating a hydrophobic coating agent in a thin film-type.

The hydrophilic fiber sheet is a fiber sheet capable of absorbing moisture, and any suitable type of fiber sheet having hydrophilicity may be used.

Examples of the hydrophilic fiber sheet may include a fiber sheet containing hydrophilic fibers such as cotton, rayon, wool and silk or a fiber sheet made of hydrophobic synthetic fiber which is hydrophilized to provide hydrophilicity.

A thin film coating layer 200 is on (e.g., formed on) one side of a hydrophilic fiber sheet 100 capable of absorbing moisture as described above.

The thin film coating layer 200 may be formed such that a part of one side of the fiber sheet is coated with a hydrophobic coating agent in a thin film-type.

The thickness of the thin film coating layer is preferably 80 nm or less so that the thin film coating layer may not be easily felt through the tactile sensation or softness of the fiber sheet by a human's sensation. The thickness is preferably 20 nm or more to inhibit the thin film coating layer from being exfoliated due to washing or friction. Thus, the thickness may be formed to be 20 nm to 80 nm.

In some embodiments, the thin film coating layer has a thickness of 30 to 50 nm.

The thin film coating layer 200 may be formed by coating the hydrophobic coating agent. The hydrophobic coating agent may be transparent, and may include a water repellent and a binder that do not inhibit the natural color of the fabric.

Examples of the water repellent may include a fluorine-based water repellent, a silicone-based water repellent, a fluorine-silicone water repellent, an acryl-based water repellent, a polyethylene-based water repellent, a polypropylene-based water repellent, a polyamide-based water repellent, a polyester-based water repellent, a polymethyl-based water repellent and/or the like. According to embodiments of the present invention, it is most preferable to use a silicone-based water repellent, which makes it easy to form a thin film having a nano-sized thickness.

According to embodiments of the present invention, it is preferable to use a silicone-based water repellent prepared by a sol-gel method using tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS).

The water repellent may be used with a solvent, a thickener, and/or the like in order to improve processability.

The binder used in embodiments of the present invention may be any suitable binder used in textile products. For example, an acryl-based binder, a silicone-based binder, and/or a polyurethane-based binder may be used. Among the above binders, according to example embodiments, an acryl-based binder having transparent color is preferably used because of little skin irritation and easiness to use.

The water repellent and the binder may be used in combination. The mixing ratio of the water repellent and the binder may be adjusted according to the water repellent and the binder used. In general, the water repellent and the binder may be mixed to have a weight ratio of 9:1 to 3:7.

The hydrophobic coating agent may be coated on a fiber sheet by various suitable methods such as roll printing and laminating.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophobic coating agent is coated on 70% to 95% of the surface area of the one side of the fiber sheet to form a thin film coating layer. The thin film coating layer may have a gap 300 having a length of 0.5 mm to 5 mm in which a hydrophobic coating agent is not coated.

The gap 300 is a slit between a thin film coating layer and an adjacent thin film coating layer thereof, which functions as a pathway configured to absorb moisture that is in contact with the one side of the fiber sheet and to transfer the moisture to the other side thereof. When the width or length of the gap is less than 0.5 mm, the moisture is not readily absorbed so that the one side of the fiber sheet with thin film coating layer may become damp. When the width or length of the gap is more than 5 mm, the gap where the moisture is absorbed may be widened so as to reduce the dryness.

The thin film coating layer can be formed in a variety of designed patterns such as a dot pattern as shown in FIG. 3, item (a), a stripe pattern as shown in FIG. 3, item (b), and a lattice pattern as shown in FIG. 3, item (c), using the hydrophobic coating agent. Further, the pattern may be designed by adjusting the width or the length of the gap within 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet as prepared above according to an embodiment of the present invention has the thin film coating layer 200 formed on the one side of the fiber sheet. Moisture released from a human body is in contact with the thin film coating layer 200. However, moisture is not absorbed due to the hydrophilicity of the thin film coating layer, thereby being pushed into the gap 300. Moisture pushed into the gap is absorbed due to the hydrophilicity and moisture is absorbed rapidly in all ways of the fiber sheet as shown in FIG. 2.

The moisture absorbed into the fiber sheet as described above is inhibited from being transferred to the one side of the fiber sheet due to the thin film coating layer, and the moisture is transferred to the other side thereof so that the fiber sheet provides a dryness feeling at the one side thereof at all times.

Although the absolute amount of the moisture in the fiber sheet containing moisture may not be reduced, the moisture retained on the one side of the fiber sheet on which the thin film coating layer is formed is rapidly transferred to the other portion of the fiber sheet, thereby inhibiting existence of the moisture and significantly decreasing residual amount of moisture at the one side thereof.

Accordingly, assuming that the amount of moisture contained in the fiber sheet is the same, the moisture retained on the one side of the fiber sheet is rapidly diffused to other parts of the fiber sheet, so that the fiber sheet provides the dryness and freshness at the one side thereof. Thus, the sweat-absorbing and rapid-drying properties can be achieved regardless of the absolute amount of moisture evaporation or moisture dried.

As shown in FIG. 5, inclusive of (a)-(b), the thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet having the thin film coating layer 200 and the gap 300 of the present invention as described above are formed such that when moisture is absorbed, the thin film coating layer is not wetted, but the gap becomes wet. As shown in FIG. 5, item (b), the color deepening effect appears due to moisture. The gap may be designed by considering this phenomenon, thereby improving the aesthetics of the fiber sheet.

Hereinafter, an Example of a method of producing a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, but the present invention is not limited to the Example.

Example

By a roll printing method, a hydrophilic coating agent was applied on one side of a hydrophilic polyester fabric by hydrophilization. The thin film coating layer was formed on about 80% of the surface area of the one side to prepare a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet.

The thin film coating layer was formed to have a hexagonal shape, and the gap width was 1 mm as shown in FIG. 5, item (b). The hydrophobic coating agent was prepared by mixing a water repellent and an acrylic binder to have a weight ratio of 8:2 to be prepared by a sol-gel method using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS).

FIG. 4 is an SEM photograph of a cross-section of a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention produced in the Example. The thickness of the thin film was measured to be 39 nm.

FIG. 5, inclusive of (a)-(b), includes photographs showing the surfaces of prior-moisture absorption and post-moisture absorption of a thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet. As shown in FIG. 5, item (a), a thin film coating layer was not visually observed before moisture absorption. As shown in FIG. 5, item (b), when the moisture was absorbed, the thin film coating layer-formed portion was not wetted by water. However, the gap where the thin film coating layer was not formed was wetted by water, showing a color deepening effect.

⊚ Evaluation experiment

One-way transfer of the moisture of the thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet of the Example of the present invention prepared as described above was measured by the method of AATCC 195-2009 (measurement of moisture behavior).

In this experiment, the moisture behavior of a fabric is measured by dropping distilled water on one side of the fabric. In the thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet of the present invention prepared in the Example as described above, the moisture behavior thereof was measured by dropping the distilled water on one side thereof, on which the thin film coating layer was formed.

As a Comparative Example of the above evaluation, the hydrophilic polyester fabric of the Example was used by hydrophilizing without forming a thin film coating layer. To examine the durability of the fabric, the thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet of the present invention prepared in the Example as described above was washed 20 times and then evaluated.

TABLE 1 WT_(T) WT_(B) AR_(T) AR_(B) MWR_(T) MWR_(B) SS_(T) SS_(B) R Classification (Sec.) (Sec.) (%/sec.) (%/sec.) (mm) (mm) (mm/sec.) (mm/sec.) (%) OMMC Example 2.719 2.532 47.1439 69.5677 25 30 6.3186 7.5544 443.4305 0.9155 Example* 2.578 2.344 29.9686 60.225 25 25 6.112 6.4581 402.1609 0.8895 Comparative 2.437 2.578 57.1983 58.6329 25 25 6.5621 6.5276 5.7262 0.447 Example WT_(T): Top wetting time (sec) WT_(B): Bottom wetting Time (sec) AR_(T): Top absorption rate (%/sec.) AR_(B): Bottom absorption rate (%/sec.) MWR_(T): Top max wetting radius (mm) MWR_(B): Bottom max wetting radius (mm) SS_(T): Top spreading speed (mm/sec) SS_(B): Bottom spreading speed (mm/sec) R: One-way transport capability (%) OMMC: Overall moisture management capacity Example*: Example washed 20 times

As shown in Table 1, the one-way moisture transport value (R-value) of Comparative Example was 5.7262%, indicating that almost no moisture was transferred. However, in the Example of the present invention, R-value thereof was 443.4305%, indicating that most of the moisture absorbed was transferred.

Further, the Example showed that R-value thereof was 402.1609% even after washing, indicating that R-value thereof was not much different from that before washing, so that the washing durability was also excellent.

Further, the value of overall moisture management capacity (OMMC) was 0.447 in the Comparative Example. However, R values before washing and after washing, respectively, were 0.9155 and 0.8895 in the Example of the present invention, which were twice as high as that in Comparative Example.

This indicated that the distilled water fallen onto the fiber sheet was moved to the gap by the thin film coating layer, and the distilled water was rapidly transferred to the other part of the fiber sheet through the gap. 

1. A thin film-type high moisture transferable fiber sheet comprising a thin film coating layer on one side of a hydrophilic fiber sheet, wherein the thin film coating layer comprises a hydrophobic coating agent coated on a portion of the one side of the fiber sheet in a thin film-type.
 2. The fiber sheet according to claim 1, wherein the thin film coating layer has a thickness of 20 nm to 80 nm.
 3. The fiber sheet according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating agent comprises a silicone-based water repellent and a transparent binder.
 4. The fiber sheet according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating agent is applied to 70% to 95% of a surface area of the one side.
 5. The fiber sheet according to claim 1, wherein the thin film coating layer has a gap of 0.5 mm to 5 mm in which the hydrophobic coating agent is not coated.
 6. The fiber sheet according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating agent constitutes the thin film coating layer in the form of dots or stripes.
 7. The fiber sheet according to claim 5, wherein a color difference occurs between the thin film coating layer and the gap when moisture is absorbed. 